The power of the mushrooms
I just love discovering new things and this year I discovered mushrooms. A dear friend shared with me a documentary she saw called Fantastic Fungi on Netflix. It was all about the medicinal use of mushrooms, which dates back thousands of years, and their healing properties. After watching, I had a whole new respect for mushrooms that grow in Mother Nature.
It’s been relatively recently that mushrooms became mainstream, and we’re seeing a resurgence of interest in these superfoods. Now they’re accessible online and in our grocery stores, and have incredible health benefits like stress relief, improved sleep, cancer-fighting properties, and a near-cure for the common cold. Who knew? Where have I been, and how did this mushroom information get by me? Let me share what I’ve learned so far about six of the most used mushrooms and how you can introduce them into your world.
Lion’s Mane
Superpower: Enhances memory. Improves focus and concentration. Stimulates neuron growth.
This mushroom has properties that improve cognitive skills, including memory, focus, and concentration. Lion’s mane is notable for its ability to repair and regenerate neurons by helping the body produce nerve growth factor and has been found in research studies to improve cognitive function.
How to take: Lion’s mane is edible and works well as a meat substitute in many dishes like stir-fries. You can also buy lion’s mane as a supplement in pill form or powder. The brand I use and like is Host Defense. Another fun way to try lion’s mane is in your coffee. The brand Four Sigmatic has a wonderful coffee called “think” with lion’s mane that is quite tasty.
Reishi
Superpower: Promotes liver health. Reduces stress. Encourages restful sleep.
A mushroom of many names including “the mushroom of immortality”, reishi is a superfood multi-tasker. Along with containing zinc, iron, dietary fiber, and amino acids, what really makes this mushroom special is its immune-enhancing bioactive components. Reishi contains antioxidants that pump up the body’s natural defenses to fight disease.
How to take: You can find Reishi in many forms, including supplements, tinctures, and powders. They’re also available in coffee and tea form.
Chaga
Superpower: Reduce inflammation and boost the immune system. Prevents and slows cancer.
These mushrooms grow on birch trees in very cold climates and have one of the highest antioxidant contents of any food. That’s why they’re often used to ward off the common cold. A single 8-oz cup of chaga tea has the same number of antioxidants as 30 lbs. of carrots. Crazy right? These mushrooms have also been used to treat cancers and reduce tumor size, resolve digestive issues, manage blood sugars, and lower bad cholesterol levels. Now that is a pretty powerful mushroom.
How to take: You can find chaga in many forms, including supplements, tinctures, and powders. They’re also available in coffee and tea form.
Cordyceps
Superpower: Potent antioxidant. Improves physical stamina. Reduces fatigue.
Cordyceps are a good source of antioxidant support. In addition, this mushroom is most well-known for promoting healthy energy levels. It also supports physical stamina, even enhancing ATP levels in the body. ATP is like a battery that powers your cells. When it comes to exercise, an abundance of ATP means increased strength, energy, and overall stamina—quite the advantage when working out.
How to take: You can find cordyceps in many forms, including supplements, tinctures, and powders. They’re also available in coffee and tea form.
Shiitake
Superpower: Anti-viral. Anti-inflammatory. Anti-tumor. Improves bone density. Wards off the flu.
Shiitake mushrooms are one of the few medicinal mushrooms that also happen to be delicious. But being tasty isn’t their only superpower. Included for its all around immune-boosting properties, shiitake has the bragging right of having all eight amino acids. It also contains the polysaccharide lentinan, which has been shown to heal chromosome damage and reduce cholesterol. They’re also known to lower inflammation levels and increase overall immunity, making it an incredible immune builder.
How to take: You can find shiitake in many forms, including supplements, tinctures, and powders.
Turkey Tail
Superpower: Guardian of the gut. Fights cancer. Relieves chronic fatigue symptoms.
Turkey tail is loaded with indigestible fibers that the gut microorganisms love and rely on, making this mushroom incredible gut protector and hugely beneficial in aiding healthy digestion. I have a dear friend that is a breast cancer survivor and swears by turkey tail. She told me it helped her get through chemo. That’s powerful.
How to take: Turkey tail is edible, but rarely eaten because of how chewy it is. People who take turkey tail usually take it in capsules, tinctures, and powders. They’re also available in coffee and tea form.
Now you have a simple introduction to six of the most common mushrooms and the help they can offer our bodies. Now, I’m not suggesting that you run out and take all six of theses mushrooms at once, but, after reading about each mushroom, you might find your curiosity piqued or feel there is one that offers something you could benefit from. I’ve found wonderful benefits from lion’s mane, so I’m staying open to learning more about all the others. And at your next visit to the grocery store, peek at the fresh mushrooms in the produce aisle and think about adding some of this wonderful superfood into your diet. Enjoy the ‘shroom shopping.